Invest in PureNSM Group

The release confirms that potency tests were conducted for several brands sold through Amazon between 2020 to 2022. In fear of retribution from 3rd party brands as well as Amazon, the independent researchers have remained anonymous but were able to verify their credentials through other acceptable means, and going forward will be known as simply the researchers.

The researchers stated that, “CoQ10 sold on Amazon under many brands, tested low to none for active ingredients”.

By the data table, Violator 1 stated 200mg per cap of CoQ10, yet no CoQ10 was detected and was no longer selling on Amazon by 2022.

Violator 2 showed the same results in 2020 as Violator 1. In 2022 however, gains were made, the detected 11mg per cap is a far cry from the 200mg per cap, stated on the label.

They went on to say that, “A total of 10 brands were tested in secret in 2020, and 8 brands were tested in 2021-22. Out of the 8 tested in 2021-22, 4 of those brands were re-tests from the 2020 group. Out of all the Amazon brands tested in 2020 and 2021, none of them met the GMP label claims nor their Certificate of Authenticity, which is a violation of FDA Regulations and Federal Law.”

It has also been brought to light that a constant battle exists at Amazon between fraudulent 3rd party brands, and those brands that choose to conduct regular potency and purity tests with effective quality control standards.

Often the fraudulent brands proceed to inflate their own reviews with positive feedback, as well as posting negative feedback on their competition.

Fraudulent third party brands being able to artificially inflate the reviews in such a way puts a strain on consumer trust in product reviews presented on the Amazon platform itself.

Independent monitoring service Fakespot reported in 2020 that up to 42% of all Amazon reviews that year were actually fake reviews. A number that had risen from 36% from the previous year.

The FDA’s supplement regulations, known as 21 CFR Part 111, are very clear. All ingredients should be tested before and after production. Retailers, such as Amazon, must ensure this occurs for the brands they carry, both in a legal sense, as well as to maintain consumer trust in the products being sold on the Amazon platform.

There were other sources in the release which showed similar results and they were SAMe, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Phosphatidyl Serine, and Turmeric/Curcumin all showing lack of potency and inaccurate labeling.

It is imperative that Amazon holds its brands accountable for maintaining GMP certifications from quality control agencies that will inspect the manufacturers. Those agents in turn should also be certified by the ANSI National Accreditation Board. The two most used agencies are Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and NSF.

In an effort to better understand what is going on, we conducted some research and found a contract manufacturer which is a reputable contract manufacturer for 3rd party Amazon brands of health supplements, called PureNSM.

PureNSM’s CEO, Oskar Thorvaldsson, was kind enough to take our questions and offer his perspective on things:

“We all love Amazon, I know for sure there are so many great supplements for sale there. I know because we make them! I am in total shock over the test results which you have shared with me. I do not know if it is related, but we get many requests from brands who say they are getting prices from other plants that don’t even cover the cost of raw materials, let alone testing costs I just hope they are not large sellers on Amazon… We do offer a price guarantee for our services, if anyone can get a lower quote from a factory ‘with the same certifications as we do’ then we will match the price. We hold UL, NSF, and NPA certifications“. – Oskar Thorvaldsson, CEO of PureNSM

Amazon retains 77% of the online supplement market. The company’s revenue grew to $33.364B in 2021, and this data is easily found on business profile listings, online.

Continuing to allow the resale of fake supplements, which Amazon has been proven to stop in the past, would be a bad and unethical business practice. Consumers receive competitive prices, with the illusion they purchase adequate products, and eventually, lose trust in Amazon as awareness is heightened.

I found this on the The Standeford Journal, on the following page: https://www.ssj.news/news/americas/2022-09-29/some-supplement-brands-sold-on-amazon-using-fillers-instead-of-active-ingredients.php